A good and substantial rye bread can be prepared with or without caraway seed* (cumin/seasoning) depending on your taste. My family doesn’t like caraway seeds so they were kept out. Why not give it a try and see if you like it?

Rye has a bit of a reputation as a baking bad boy due to its low gluten content which makes for a heavier and denser loaf but, I like it made with a mixture of white bread flour and rye so it isn’t too heavy, but you can change the proportions, if you prefer a darker loaf – you may need to add extra water if using more rye. Homemade rye bread can be quite a challenge, so just remember that you’re never going to get a fluffy, airy result using just rye.